Join us for our free Live Immigration and Job Seeker Webinar!
home page icon
Visas
Partnership Visas

The Business Investor Visa

The Business Investor Visa offers new immigration options for investors who invest in existing businesses in New Zealand.

Depending on the level of investment, this policy offers a work-to-residence pathway or a fast-track to residence pathway.

‍

‍The Business Investor Work Visa offers 2 options for investors.

Both options lead to residence in New Zealand.

  • NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
  • NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway

‍

Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds.

Applicants may include their partner and dependent children in their application. 

Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

A Business Investor Visa may be granted for up to 4 years.

‍

The Business Investor Work Visa will be open for applications in November 2025.

Eligibility criteria for the Business Investor Work Visa

To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, applicants must:

  • meet the minimum investment threshold of 1 or 2 million NZ$
  • show they have at least NZD $500,000 to support themselves (and their family if they are including them in their application) while establishing their business
  • be aged 55 or younger when they apply
  • meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)
  • meet health and character requirements
  • meet business experience requirements
  • invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.

Business investment requirements

The following business types are not acceptable business investments under this visa:

  • businesses involved in:
    • drop-shipping
    • gambling
    • the manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping
    • adult entertainment
  • convenience stores (for example, corner dairies)
  • businesses that offer immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved
  • discount or value stores (for example, NZD $2 shops)
  • fast food outlets
  • franchised businesses
  • home-based businesses (businesses only operating from a residential address).

Read more about investing in New Zealand:

The new Active Investor Plus Visa

‍

Please note:

The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.

Applications under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas are no longer accepted.

The rest of the letter has 4 parts and should be succinct
(never more than 1 page):
1. Opening
  • Open with a strong statement giving the reason you are applying for the position.
2. Professional background
‍
  • What you have you been doing, relevant to the role you are applying for. Be skills/achievements focused and focused on what you can bring to the company rather than what the company can do for you.
3. Personal fit
  • What kind of person are you (hint: mention your qualities which are aligned to the
    role)
4. Motivations
‍
  • Your motivation for wanting to settle in NZ and why you want to live in that particular area. Invite the reader to contact you if they have any questions about your application.
USA flag symbol

 Carsten and his team were very thorough and helpful when the time came to apply for and get our visas. They are now helping us with our resident visas, and I'm certain that the process will be the same. I'd recommend them highly.

KJ
USA
brazilian flag image

NZIC guided me all the way through getting my first work visa to permanent residency. Their job seeking support was key when I first arrived in NZ, communication was always easy and clear. I'm very thankful for their help and definitely recommend their services.

DO
Brazil
hong kong flag image

Dear Jannie, just want to drop a note to thank for your everything. Your help is much appreciated! You are a wonderful and professional job search coach! I am so lucky to have you supporting me!

MK
Hong Kong

Are you interested in moving to New Zealand as an investor or retiree?

Complete our Free Assessment form and talk to Dr.Hallwass about your best way forward.

Free Assessment
DisclaimerPrivacy PolicyCareers


Copyright New Zealand Immigration Concepts Ltd 2025

Read more

Search in New Zealand icon

Job Searching in NZ

This is some text inside of a div block. With two lines.
This is some text inside of a div block. With two lines.
This is some text inside of a div block. With two lines.
This is some text inside of a div block. With two lines.